Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed meets China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing

The Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi was invited to attend the opening of the Winter Olympics by Mr Xi

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed meets China's President Xi Jinping in Beijing. Twitter / Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, met Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing on Saturday.

The leaders discussed the long-standing ties between their nations and explored ways to strengthen the UAE and China's joint comprehensive partnership, particularly across fields of investment and the economy.

Sheikh Mohamed attended the opening ceremony of the 24th Winter Olympics in the Chinese capital on Friday at Mr Xi's invitation.

The president expressed his happiness at meeting Sheikh Mohamed.

Sheikh Mohamed conveyed his best wishes to Mr Xi and the Chinese people and congratulated him on the start of the Chinese New Year this week, which ushered in the Year of the Tiger.

He thanked the Chinese leader for inviting him to the Winter Olympics and praised its opening ceremony.

Sheikh Mohamed highlighted the high level of organisation for the Games, held against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic.

Sheikh Mohamed and Mr XI spoke of developments in the Middle East and stressed their shared desire for peace and stability in the region.

Sheikh Mohammed attends opening ceremony of 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics - in pictures

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed, then Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, takes a photograph during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, at the National Stadium in China's capital. All Photos: Oussama Lacfer for the Ministry of Presidential Affairs

Sheikh Mohamed takes a photograph during the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office, right, attends the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, attends the ceremony.

Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed watches proceedings.

Sheikh Mohamed with Sheikh Mansour, left, and Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, top right.

Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed, right, and Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, left, at the ceremony.

Sheikh Mansour, right, speaks with Sheikh Mohamed.

Sheikh Mohamed with Sheikh Mansour, Sheikh Khaled and other dignitaries.

Sheikh Mohamed watches the opening ceremony of the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

Sheikh Mansour takes a photograph during the opening ceremony.

Khaldoon Khalifa Al Mubarak, Member of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Affairs Authority, left, and Ali Obaid Al Dhaheri, the UAE's ambassador to China, attend the ceremony.

The meeting was attended by Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed, Member of the Executive Council and head of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, Dr Sultan Al Jaber, Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Khaldoon Al Mubarak, chairman of the Executive Affairs Authority and member of the Executive Council, and Ali Obaid Ali Al Dhaheri, UAE ambassador to China.

Sheikh Mohamed attended a grand banquet hosted by Mr Xi in honour of dignitaries invited to the Winter Olympics opening ceremony.